Here are some notes from the New York Jets 24-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns in NFL action on Sunday:
New York Jets logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Success at Home:
With today’s win, the Jets improved their home record to 6-2 on the season. The six wins are tied for third-most in team history trailing only the 7-1 home records produced in 1985 and 1998. This marks the second season that the team has earned six regular season home wins under Head Coach Rex Ryan, matching the accomplishment of the 2011 team. Through five seasons under Ryan, the Jets have posted a 24-16 regular season record at home.
Team Offense:
The Jets offense gained 422 total yards on the day, marking their second game of the season in which they have broken the 400-yard plateau and first since 9/22 vs. BUF. The Jets offensive line helped the ground game pick up a season-high 208 yards while allowing no sacks of QB Geno Smith.
Ivory paced the Jets ground game with 109 yards on 20 carries (5.5 avg.). The game marked his third 100-yard performance as a Jet, improving the club’s record to 3-0 in those contests.
Powell’s career-long 39-yard run late in the second half helped set up a K Nick Folk field goal to tie the score at 10-10 at the end of the first half. Powell finished the day with 54 rushing yards on seven carries (7.7 avg.) and 26 yards on four catches.
Red Zone Defense:
The Jets defense held the Browns to one-for-four in the red zone. The defense has now allowed only three touchdowns in their last 18 opposing red-zone possessions (16.7%) over the past five games, the best in the NFL in that span.
Milliner recorded his first-career interception when he picked off Campbell’s pass intended for WR Greg Little in the third quarter. He returned the interception for 19 yards to the Jets’ 39 yard line. Press box stats credited Milliner with a team-leading nine tackles and five passed defensed.
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JETS QUOTES FROM THE GAME:
Chris Ivory:
What this win does for the team:
“It makes a base for where we stand right now and where we can pick up going into the season next year. It’s always good to end the season on a good note. We may not be in the playoffs, but hopefully we can get this last win.”
On Geno Smith:
“Geno did a good job today. We kept him clean in the pocket and he was able to make some good throws and some good reads.”
If he’s pleased with how he’s played this season:
“I think things went great, but where we want to be is the playoffs and that’s not going to happen. We just have to do what we can right now and end the season on a good note with a win.”
Dee Millner:
On the Browns continuing to throw at him:
“We knew that was going to happen so I just tried to keep my composure. My teammates and the coaches stayed on me. I tried to go out there and do what I do.”
Leading the team in tackles:
“It’s been (an) up and down (year). I just try to go out there and try to get better each week. Just try to help my team as much as I can.”
Geno Smith:
On playing in warm weather in December:
“It was great weather today. We were talking about it when we came out in pregame warm-ups just how great it felt out today, so it was pretty good.”
What he was personally playing for today:
“Personally, we were playing for wins. That’s every single week, we go out and try to get a victory. That’s the reason we prepared the way we did throughout the week. That was our goal as a team coming into this game.”
Whether he feels like the team is on the rise:
“I think we’re continuing to progress and I think we’re getting better from week to week. I think we’re just continuing to work hard throughout the week in practice and whether or not we’re on the rise is pretty much up to the way that we play on Sunday. But we’re definitely getting better and growing as teammates.”
On whether he is disappointed he only has a week left until the perceived deadline to show he’s the quarterback for the long-term:
“I don’t know about whose standards that deadline has been set by. I’m not disappointed. I’ve got a couple weeks to go out there and prove myself as I’ve been doing all season long. Quite frankly, that’s all that matters. I’m not worried about what anyone else says about a deadline or who I’m supposed to be proving myself to. The only people that I have to prove myself to are my teammates and my coaches. I understand that and that’s what keeps me level-headed.”
Rex Ryan:
On the Jets victory lap around the stadium after the game:
“I appreciate (the fans). It’s the last game of the year, but their support has been absolutely terrific. That’s why we wanted to take the victory lap and let them know how much we appreciate them. It’s just a little sign of respect to let them know that we do appreciate them. Unfortunately, our season ended before we wanted it to, but we certainly appreciate them.”
On Geno Smith:
“(He had a) tremendous performance. If we get some of those hands down a little bit, his numbers would be a little higher. I don’t know how many balls they tipped, but they did a pretty good job of that. I was really impressed with him. I’ll tell you, my favorite play was obviously when he ran for it on that third down (where) we’re trying to get a little kick pass to the flat, the fullback in the flat. The one (where) they were going to be down there tight to play the run, they did a great job defending it and he saw it and just took off with it. It’s just a huge play but it just shows you how he’s come on and (had) the presence of mind that, “Hey, shoot, I’m going to run with this because we need this first down.” He ended up picking it up with his legs. So, (I’m) really impressed with him. (He) threw the ball well. He had a 91 quarterback rating, 91.7 quarterback rating so I was impressed.”
What he told the team before the game:
“Just that we know we have an opportunity in front of our fans to compete. We were excited about that opportunity, there’s no question about it. We wanted to put on a good show for ourselves, number one, but our fans as well. We know that this is our last shot and we were going to give everything we had and that’s it. We weren’t holding back. We were going to play like we always do. We play together. This is a team that’s a close team and it’s one that takes a lot of pride in playing physical and we take a lot of pride in the fact that we are a team. I think that was noticed today. We were down 10-0. Shoot, our guys were just like, “We’re ready to roll.” It kind of reminds me of that UFC fighter that’s turning purple, he’s choked out but he still fought, found a way to get out and win and that’s kind of what we are. Today, they had a stranglehold on us down 10-0 but our guys kept fighting, which doesn’t surprise anybody that’s in our walls, that’s for sure.”
On what it has meant to coach the Jets:
“To me, I just think that, shoot, it’s a great opportunity. Shoot, I was just like all these guys in the stands today, just a fan of the Jets and a fan of football and I was given an incredible opportunity. That’s how I look at it.”